Vicente del Bosque: Xavi's Barcelona lack a cutting edge

The Catalans are third in La Liga after 12 games, having drawn three and lost one so far, which has put them four points off the pace set by leaders Girona.

Xavi's charges have experienced some inconsistency in recent weeks, losing to Real Madrid and most recently to Shakhtar in the Champions League.

Earlier this season, Barcelona were also held to 2-2 draws by both Mallorca and Granada - teams who find themselves in the lower third of La Liga.

Del Bosque reckons it's because the current Barcelona team don't possess the same ability to open teams up that they did in previous eras.

"He's just off the back of winning a league," Del Bosque told Cadena SER.

"The big teams always play against teams sitting deep with very few spaces.

"Barcelona have always had a characteristic identity of opening the game up and they lack that a bit."

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